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Patented Nov. 6', 1883.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFI E.

MAURICE A. REIDY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO 1). F. FLANNERY, OF SAME PLACE.

M ETALLIC CLASP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 288,118, dated November 6,1883.

Application filed April 16, 1883. (No model.)

such manner as to-seourely retain the con-' tents of said envelope or packet, and at the same time to allow for the easy removal and return of the fastener to place whenever it is desired to gain access to the. contents of the bag, envelope, or packet. The invention is especially applicable to such packets as are employed for the shipment of light merchandisc, samples, &c., through the mails, where a quick inspection of the contents of the envelope is made necessary.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows in perspective a paper packet or envelope, with the fastener applied to its overturned edge. Figs. 2, 3, and 9 are perspective views of various forms of the fastener. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the manner of applying the fastener to the bag. Figs. 5and 7 are the fasteners, and Figs. 6 and 8 the blanks from which the same are formed.

The metallic blank a, Fig. 6, of substantially rectangular shape, having one corner cut away, preferably, as at a, is folded so that its 'edges shall overlap, as shown in Fig.

5, said edges being closely bent toward'each other, as at 1 1, Fig. 2, or somewhat away from each other, as at 2 2, Fig. 3, with the inner fold close to the body of the blank to form a snug bite; or if the blank be as in Fig. 8,.then the two edges will be introverted (Fig. '7) to form a double fold of the metal, as in Fig. 9, the edges 3 3 bearing against or in close relation to the body of the fastener to make a securebite, as in Fig. 3.

To apply the fastener, it is merely neces sary to make a slight fold in the envelope b across theopen end, and to slip the fastener along over the flap 4, (Figs. 1 and 4,) there being sufficient spring in the metal to permit the bite of the fastener to. yield and to allow the flap and bag thicknesses to pass, while at the same time the fastener is stiff enough to prevent the flap from pulling out lengthwise of the bag or from slipping off crosswise.

"Where the bag is made of paper, asusual, the bite may be varied by folding tight down or loose. in accordance with the special weight or thickness of the paper to which it is to be M 1. A metallic fastener for bags, envelopes,

850., consisting of a substantially rectangular blank, with its longitudinal edges folded over each other to form a yielding bite between its folded surfaces, whereby the closed end flap of the bag isremovably retained, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the bag or envelope I), having a folded end, 4, of the metallic fastener a, between the overlapped edges of which the bag is slipped endwise, and is removably retained in the bite thereof, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day of April, A. D. 1883.

MAURICE A. REIDY.

In presence of- JAMES H. PEIRCE, J. O. ll IORR-IS. 

